Student Services

General Information

Learning Support

The college may make application to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for funding to assist learners with disabilities or specific learning difficulties to participate fully and benefit from their course. Documentary evidence of the presence of a disability or a specific learning difficulty fulfilling the HEA criteria will be required in order to make an application for funding and in order to allocate certain categories of support. Learners are encouraged to make their requirements known in order to avail of supports. Full details will be provided at induction.

Guidance Counselling

Students of the college have access to a guidance counselling service throughout their course.

Work Placement

All learners at OCFE are required to complete work placement. This is a mandatory and integral part of every course offered by the college. Full details of the requirements for work placement in respect of each course will be provided at induction.

Teaching and Learning Facilities

Ormonde College of Further Education provides up-to-date facilities to enhance the quality of the teaching and learning experience. As well as specialist facilities for beauty therapy, exercise and health and animal grooming, the college operates two spacious art studios and two IT laboratories with 100mB broadband internet access. All classrooms are equipped with data projection equipment and Wifi is available throughout the college. Learners have access to printing and photocopying facilities and will have the opportunity to use Moodle, the web based learning platform.

Canteen

Learners can avail of a range of hot and cold food and beverages in our canteen, located on the ground floor. The canteen operates from early morning until 14:00. Orders for mid-morning break and lunchtime can be placed in advance with canteen staff.

OCFE Student Council

OCFE encourages learners to participate in the Student Council which is elected annually and represents the interests and concerns of learners. Each class group is represented by two elected learners. As well as representation of student issues to management and class group advocacy, the council involves itself with the organisation of social events and engages in extensive fund-raising and charity events throughout the year. The council elects two representatives to the Board of Management of the college.

Transport Links

Excellent transport links are available by bus and rail to Kilkenny. Many provincial bus routes operate a stop directly outside the college gates. For details see the following websites:

www.irishrail.ie

www.buseireann.ie

www.jjkavanagh.ie

www.dublincoach.ie

PLC Maintenance Grants

Maintenance Grants are available to learners attending full-time courses of Further and Higher Education. The student grant is the main source of financial help available from the Irish State for students in full-time Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLCs) and full-time higher education undergraduate/postgraduate courses.

Family and/or personal income is a key factor that will be assessed when you apply for a student grant but there are also some other conditions.

If you think you are eligible for the student grant you should apply for it as soon as possible. You do not have to wait until you receive an offer of a place or enrol in college. Further information on applying for the maintenance grant is available from www.studentfinance.ie or the Admissions Office of Ormonde College of Further Education.